This is by far the best backpacking saw I've owned. Light and compact when retracted. When opened for use, the blade and handle are long enough to do some real work. The blade really cuts through wood. The handle is long enough so you can use both hands if needed on larger pieces of wood. Highly recommended for any type of backpacking trip.

This filter did NOT live up to expectations. The float end wouldn't stay face down in the water. Even worse, the filter cartridge clogged very easily when the water wasn't perfectly clear (e.g., when there's any presence of algae). The only way to backflush was to waste up to 1 liter of water for every 8 liters you pump -- you can't clean the filter directly like other MSR ceramic filters. Definitely not worth the extra money. Go with a proven and cheaper MSR pump instead (such as the Miniworks EX).

I took this on a weeklong backpacking trip but couldn't get a good flame at all. So after the trip was over I took it apart to figure out what was wrong. The problem: the silly white filter that MSR put at the bottom of the pump tube. I removed it and all of the problems went away. Now the stove is like the MSR WhisperLite we all know and love: reliable, lightweight, and hot. Remove the filter before your first trip and you'll be satisfied; leave it on, and you'll probably have the same problem I did.

Good, sturdy cookware with a nice handle tool. Only complaint is that it's a little heavy. If you're only doing dehydrated backpacking meals (and therefore only need to boil water), leave the smaller pot at home. With only the larger pot, lid, and handle, the whole package is lighter and gives you just the right amount of space for packing a stove, pump, measuring cup, and lighter inside. Very convenient, all-in-one package.

The thing I like most about this bag (apart from the lightness and the compression sack) is the zipper at the bottom of the bag to give your feet some air. After a long day on the trail, it's awfully nice to get some cool air on the feet while the rest of you is nice and warm in the bag.

I bought this for my two teenage sons to share on backpacking trips. In hindsight, I wish I had gone for the Velox 3 to give them a little more room inside. The Velox 2 is quite tight. But the design is great, with doors and vestibules on both sides, and the quality of construction is very high. It sets up easily and the optional footprint (highly recommended) keeps the floor nice and dry. Just go with the larger size if the two campers are anything other than tiny.